Anxiety and Panic Attacks

J asked:

I am 24 now. When I was 14 (year 2000) I was admitted to a mental institution for suicide attempts/feelings, severe depression, anxiety & panic attacks. I could not finish high school due to this.

Since then I have been treated off and on for the same things, as well as agoraphobia and PTSD (from childhood abuse). I still have the constant general anxiety and panic attacks, some agoraphobia, and the depression and suicidal feelings are intermittent. I am currently being treatment, but I do not have records of 10 years of constant treatment (only here and there), though I have also been on many medications.

IMPORTANT: I have only worked 4 days in my entire life, I am not sure how this affects my eligibility for SSI. I quit one job after 3 days and the other after 1 day due to panic attacks. I don’t feel I am capable of working because I can’t even leave my house or go to town without my boyfriend, who has been supporting me financially the past 8 years.

I can not drive and do not have a driver’s license. When I am outside my home I spontaneously panic and feel like I must escape and get back to my home, and I have physical pain and symptoms caused by this panic.

I just wanted someone with experience to give me their honest opinion about my chances and if I should pursue it even to the judge/lawyer stage if I am denied. Thank you.
Also would like to add that in addition to documented psychological treatment and diagnoses I have ER records of self-mutilation and panic attacks.
@Kate. Thank you for all your advice. I have seen and am currently seeing a therapist in addition to a psychiatrist, sorry if I didn’t make that clear.

ghettogirl_philly71 asked:


i’ve been on prozac for panic attacks for 10 years and i hate that i have to stay on it. once i came off the drug and i went right back to the panic attacks again. does anyone else have this problem?
Prozac works very well for panic attacks. it sort of dulls your senses though.

Frances